It's sad to say and agree that the game of school begins at an early age. But, I feel this mindset begins at the top, starting with teachers. If students percieve teachers as doing just enough to get done, students pick up on that and act upon just as their teachers have modeled. Fried uses the example of his friend who took a position at a program run by the YMCA to explain how the same old rountines become redundant and monotonous, which kids become attuned to. I particualrly find the children's behavior interesting once Fried's friend decided to read aloud to the students. It was her modeled behavior that engaged the students to participate. It really makes you think about the saying,"Monkey see Monkey do!"
As far as the GOS goes, this type of behavior was reflected in The Teaching Gap, especially in the United States math classrooms. Just the mere fact that teachers were modeling how to solve the math problems rather than allowing students to struggle, suggests that teachers were trying to make use of classroom time in order to meet the "strandards". I believe these behaviors from teachers suggest to students that they will be helped regardless. So, in essence, what would be the point in struggling?
I really enjoy reading articles like this because it puts my ideas about teaching into greater perspective. I most often have this idea that I will be able to help guide students and show them how to solve problems. But in reality, making kids think and struggle doesn't seem like a bad idea.
Reaction to The Game of School
It's sad to say and agree that the game of school begins at an early age. But, I feel this mindset begins at the top, starting with teachers. If students percieve teachers as doing just enough to get done, students pick up on that and act upon just as their teachers have modeled. Fried uses the example of his friend who took a position at a program run by the YMCA to explain how the same old rountines become redundant and monotonous, which kids become attuned to. I particualrly find the children's behavior interesting once Fried's friend decided to read aloud to the students. It was her modeled behavior that engaged the students to participate. It really makes you think about the saying,"Monkey see Monkey do!"
As far as the GOS goes, this type of behavior was reflected in The Teaching Gap, especially in the United States math classrooms. Just the mere fact that teachers were modeling how to solve the math problems rather than allowing students to struggle, suggests that teachers were trying to make use of classroom time in order to meet the "strandards". I believe these behaviors from teachers suggest to students that they will be helped regardless. So, in essence, what would be the point in struggling?
I really enjoy reading articles like this because it puts my ideas about teaching into greater perspective. I most often have this idea that I will be able to help guide students and show them how to solve problems. But in reality, making kids think and struggle doesn't seem like a bad idea.